CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Celebrating the importance of health, connection, and holistic wellbeing, the Department of Pediatrics of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Medical Center (OLMCMC) hosts its annual get-together on Oct. 20 at St. Gerald Hall, gathering medical professionals for a meaningful fellowship, learning, and wellness inspiration.
Adding depth to the occasion is a health and wellness forum entitled Lifestyle Medicine in the Modern Workplace featuring Dr. Rowena Batac Medina, RN, MD, MMHA, an obstetrician-gynecologist and lifestyle medicine advocate, as guest speaker. With her expertise in women’s health and commitment to lifestyle medicine, Dr. Medina shared valuable insights on the importance of embracing healthier choices, preventive care, and sustainable habits that support overall well-being.
According to OLMCMC chief executive officer Dr. Monet Briones, beyond the exchange of professional knowledge, the gathering highlights the value of nurturing relationships within the medical community. It offers an opportunity for colleagues to reconnect, exchange perspectives, and reinforce their shared commitment to delivering quality patient care.
In a profession dedicated to caring for others, taking time to focus on personal wellness and professional camaraderie serves as a timely reminder that a healthier community begins with individuals who understand the value of well-being.
“Through this annual gathering, OLMCMC’s Department of Pediatrics brings together the spirit of fellowship and the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle—celebrating not only the science of medicine but also the human connections that make compassionate care possible,” OLMCMC head of pediatrics, Dr. Beverly Alfonso said in her message.
A healthier workplace begins with everyday choices—and according to Dr. Medina, organizations have an important role to play in making those choices easier, more accessible, and sustainable. Her message underscores a simple yet powerful principle: healthy workplaces make healthy choices easier.
Rather than treating wellness as an occasional activity, organizations can make it part of their everyday culture through practical initiatives that encourage movement, mindful eating, preventive care, and work-life balance.
Among the suggested practices are walking meetings that turn routine discussions into opportunities for physical activity, as well as hourly stretching and movement breaks that help employees counter prolonged sitting. Offering healthier food choices during meetings and setting up accessible hydration stations can likewise encourage better daily habits. Workplaces can further strengthen their wellness programs by organizing preventive health screening days, fitness activities, and step challenges that motivate employees to become more active and mindful of their health.
For Dr. Medina, bringing lifestyle medicine into professional settings means looking beyond productivity and recognizing the people behind the work. When employees are supported in caring for their physical, mental, and emotional health, wellness becomes a shared responsibility rather than an individual burden.
Because a truly healthy workplace is one that makes well-being a priority, empowers people to thrive, and recognizes that caring for employees is an investment in a healthier future.
